Description
SUMMARY
Pinewood School is a three-campus K–12 independent school in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, known for a student experience that is personal, participatory, and grounded in strong relationships. With approximately 600 students, split evenly between K–6 and 7–12, Pinewood offers an intentionally small environment where students are known well and encouraged to engage fully across a program that combines academic depth with opportunities in the arts, athletics, and community life.
Pinewood offers a well-developed, outstanding, and challenging academic program at its core, supported by a college preparatory curriculum spanning kindergarten through grade 12. At the same time, Pinewood’s roots as an after-school arts program continue to shape its identity. Creativity, expression, and confidence are not separate from the academic experience but woven into it. Meanwhile, STEM disciplines including computer science and engineering are also a key part of the program, with students developing skills in areas such as programming, robotics, and design thinking throughout their time at Pinewood. This balance reflects a school that values both academic depth and exploration.
The director of strategic marketing and community outreach is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing Pinewood’s marketing strategy at a moment of visible growth and momentum. Reporting to the associate head of school, this leader will oversee how the school positions itself across digital, print, and in-person channels, ensuring that marketing efforts effectively support enrollment, retention, and community awareness. The role includes oversight of the communications team and close partnership with admissions and development. This is a fully on-site role, with a visible presence across all three campuses and active engagement in the daily life of the school.
Pinewood seeks a thoughtful and perceptive leader who brings both strategic perspective and a collaborative approach. This is a role for someone who listens closely, builds trust across a community, and can translate the lived experience of the school into messaging that is clear, engaging, and aligned. Pinewood looks forward to welcoming the director of strategic marketing and community outreach to begin later this summer.
12M & Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of Pinewood School. Applications received by May 3 will receive priority review. For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement, please visit:
www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/Pinewood
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Priority Deadline: May 3, 2026
Application Review: Early-to-mid May
On-site Final Round: Late May
Decision Announced: Early-to-mid June
Start Date: Summer 2026
Reports To: Associate Head of School
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $160,000–$200,000
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Strategic Marketing & Storytelling
- Define and lead how Pinewood presents itself across all external communications, including the website, social media, and publications, ensuring a clear and consistent expression of the school’s identity.
- Set direction for content creation and social media, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with the school’s broader marketing strategy.
- Contribute directly to content development, capturing moments from across all three campuses and shaping them into engaging narratives.
- Monitor performance across marketing efforts, using data and analytics to assess effectiveness and inform ongoing strategy.
- Report to the associate head of school and perform other duties as assigned.
External Communications & Community Outreach
- Grow Pinewood’s presence and outreach with current families, prospective families, alumni, and the broader Bay Area community.
- Cultivate relationships with feeder schools, local organizations, and community partners to extend the school’s visibility beyond its campuses.
- Identify and elevate moments that reflect the student experience to effectively position and promote the school.
General Administration & Departmental Leadership
- Supervise and support the other members of the Marcom Department, providing direction and clarity around priorities.
- Assess and refine how communications work is planned and coordinated across the school, supporting greater clarity and alignment.
- Work closely with the directors of admissions (K–6 and 7–12) to shape how Pinewood is introduced to prospective families and experienced throughout the enrollment process.
- Partner with the director of development to effectively communicate the impact of giving and the momentum of the school’s capital investments.
- Engage with division heads and program leaders to ensure that the distinct experiences of each campus are consistently represented.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Qualifications
- Experience leading marketing in a school or mission-driven organization
- Demonstrated ability to develop clear, engaging messaging
- Experience overseeing or guiding communications functions and small teams
- Familiarity with digital platforms, including websites and social media
- Experience working collaboratively across departments and functions
- Comfort operating in a role that combines strategy with hands-on execution
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; advanced degree preferred
Leadership and Personal Qualities
- A relationship-centered presence and an eagerness to step away from the desk to build trust with colleagues, families and in the community
- A clear and thoughtful communicator in writing, conversation, and presentations
- Initiative and creativity paired with the discipline to build repeatable systems and templates that keep the work sustainable
- Comfort working collaboratively across departments, aligning messages and strengthening the overall family experience
- Commitment to being an engaged member of the school community in a fully on-site role that requires regular presence on all three of Pinewood’s campuses
- Discretion and professionalism in a school setting, with respect for student and family privacy
- Exceptional attention to detail
TO APPLY
For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.
